"Onyx, why don't you put a shirt on?" asked Faolan's voice, drifting like a rogue as he whispered.

"I sleep like this. It's more comfortable," came a sensible answer from Onyx. "The atmosphere here's really weird sometimes. In the morning, it can get really hot."

"Really? But wasn't last night really chilly? Even I've had to wrap myself with a blanket."

"That's odd. You never have issues with temperature," brought up the blue knight coldly.

"Well. Uhh... I just can't use magic while asleep to regulate my heat."

"You need magic for that? Ah, sorry. Forget I asked."

"Haven't you been awake for the past half hour?" questioned Faolan.

"I've been meaning to take a shower."

"What have you been waiting for?"

"It's still pretty cold."

Silence flooded and judged the room.

Catching on to the conversation as Kirin's mind transitioned from the court trial of a mushroom murderer, the trap slightly buried his face more into his pillow so he could raise his ear.

What even was he listening to? Kirin had barely any context. But it sounded like a continuation of his dream, which, by the way, had been getting more exciting as revelations about the murderer's motivations were being unfolded. So many lies. So many twists! The whole room was getting chaotic with so many accusations being thrown up in the air.

Kirin was laying on his side. Waking, he gradually unlocked his eyes.

As the gap between his face and his pillow grew, it revealed Faolan facing away, sitting at the edge of his bed, as he was stripping off the shirt he had worn from the previous night.

Placing the garment by his side, his back muscles twitched and flexed so attractively that Kirin's eyes nearly flew out to touch them.

"You can go shower first if that's what you're wanting," said Onyx from wherever he was.

"Nah. You can go. It's just that it is starting to get hot over at this side of the room. You're right! It does get weird."

"Hello...? Is everyone awake?" Alia's voice entered, along with the creak of a door.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Faolan's hand instinctively caught and crumpled his shirt, probably wanting to put it back on then realizing he didn't have time.

Kirin's neck cracked when he rolled to face the other way.

On his bed, Onyx had been sitting up, upper body nude, his chest hidden only by crossed arms, and his pants glazed by fluffy sheets.

"Oh good!" Alia smiled and then walked over to the bed across Kirin's to pick up a pouch. "Looks like two of you have even finished washing. Why haven't you gotten dressed yet though? Kirin, get up and get ready! I've ordered breakfast downstairs. I'll be waiting for when it's ready. Meet at the cafeteria?"

***

That they did!

After finishing all rituals to prepare for the day, which, surprisingly, went as if it had all been orchestrated. With Onyx going in and breaking any awkwardness that may have been lingering, as he jumped off of his mattress and coolly took advantage of the closet and shower first. When Onyx have come out all adorned by his blue armor, Faolan entered next, leaving his blanket that he used to clothe his body, and showing Kirin one quick time his chest and abdomen. Despite him being in such a risque state the last time Kirin saw him, Faolan had still been a gentleman, even in the bathroom, as he seemed to have tried finishing as quick as he could so as to not have Kirin waiting too long. When the trap was done too, all four of Fable Eclipse have been geared and armored up, regrouped, and occupied a table in the dormitory's canteen.

In the cafeteria, several parties have already joined too, predictably bickering across wooden tables topped with used utensils and unfinished food.

One of the helpers moving around to bring orders dodged flying spoons and orbs so easily, it was easily clear that she had been working there for quite some time.

Faolan set down a glass cup he had just drank milk from. "Yesterday, Master Chrisholm entrusted Onyx and I with a very special quest. Something he said only our party should complete."

Should?

Kirin blinked twice as he tilted his head in thought.

Days ago, the master told them outright that he didn't care who did quests as long as they were done. Now suddenly he's delegating them himself?

"Why did he tell only you two about it?" Alia asked, chewing food.

"Because he didn't want either of you two to faint in the room."

"Eep. Is it that difficult?"

"We'll see."

Onyx was leaning on his palm, his other hand mindlessly playing with a fork spinning noodles in a bowl. "Our quest is to protect Robin Esther."

Both Alia and Kirin's spoons dropped onto the table.

"What?!"

"Did you just say Robin Esther?!"

"We have a quest with Robin Esther?!"

Back at Vidal's Restaurant and Suites, Fable Eclipse had the opportunity to witness Robin's performance live. The most famous musician whose music can render humans breathless in the most pleasant of ways!

"Are we meeting her?!"

Onyx grumbled. "I'm starting to think it was less of Master being afraid of you fainting, and more of him just not wanting to hear the screams."

Heads turned to watch what was going on.

"Guys, guys!" Faolan showed his palms, coaxing the ladies to silence. "As we said, this is something only we should be doing. I don't think announcing this to everyone is any good."

Alia and Kirin gave each other a glance, before duetting to sing, "We have a quest with Robin Esther!!!"

"Goodness." Faolan sighed as he gave up and leaned back in his chair.

Onyx let go of his fork and let it slide and sink halfway into the noodles. "You think they would shut up if we told them we aren't getting any points or money from this quest?"

"Wait. What?!" Kirin's eyes teared up almost instantly.

Onyx smirked.

"No worries." Faolan offered a grin that contrasted Onyx's face quite sharply. "It's a very special request. I'm sure we'll be rewarded greatly once it's done."